IELTS Writing Task Band Descriptors Explained for Test Takers

The IELTS Writing test is assessed using specific band descriptors that determine your final writing band score. Examiners use these descriptors to mark both Task 1 (Academic or General) and Task 2 (Essay writing). Understanding the IELTS Writing band descriptors will help you plan your response better, avoid common mistakes, and improve your writing strategy. This article breaks down the four key criteria for assessing IELTS Writing tasks.

🔍 What Are the IELTS Writing Band Descriptors?

IELTS examiners use four criteria to assess writing tasks. Each criterion is scored from Band 1 to 9, and the average of the four is your final writing score.

✅ 1. Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2)

This criterion evaluates how well you address the task.

• Band 9: Fully addresses all parts of the task with well-developed ideas.
• Band 8: Covers all requirements sufficiently with relevant ideas and support.
• Band 7: Addresses all parts of the task; ideas are mostly well-developed.
• Band 6: Addresses the task but may have irrelevant details or not develop ideas fully.
• Band 5 or below: Incomplete response, misunderstanding of the task, limited ideas.

🔹 Tips: Read the task carefully, answer all parts, and give examples and explanations where required.

✅ 2. Coherence and Cohesion

This checks the organisation of ideas, use of paragraphs, and linking devices.

• Band 9: Ideas are logically sequenced, well-paragraphed, and smoothly connected.
• Band 8: Logically organised with good use of cohesive devices.
• Band 7: Clear progression with appropriate use of linking words.
• Band 6: Overall structure is okay but may lack clarity or proper linking.
• Band 5 or below: Poor organisation; ideas jump around; weak paragraphing.

🔹 Tips: Use clear paragraphs, topic sentences, and connectors like ‘however’, ‘therefore’, ‘in addition’.

✅ 3. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

This measures your ability to use a wide range of vocabulary accurately and naturally.

• Band 9: Wide range of vocabulary used with natural collocations and precise meaning.
• Band 8: Skilful use of vocabulary with minor errors.
• Band 7: Good range with some flexibility; occasional awkward use.
• Band 6: Adequate range with frequent repetition; some errors in word choice.
• Band 5 or below: Limited vocabulary, frequent errors, and repetition.

🔹 Tips: Avoid repetition. Use synonyms and topic-specific words. Check for spelling and collocation.

✅ 4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

This assesses your use of grammatical structures, tenses, punctuation, and sentence variety.

• Band 9: Uses a wide range of structures accurately and naturally.
• Band 8: Wide range of structures with only occasional errors.
• Band 7: Frequent use of complex sentences with some errors.
• Band 6: Mix of simple and complex structures; some grammar errors.
• Band 5 or below: Mostly simple sentences with many mistakes.

🔹 Tips: Use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences. Master tenses and agreement.

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🧮 How the Final Band Score is Calculated

Each of the four criteria is scored from 1–9. The average of these four scores (rounded to the nearest half or whole band) becomes your final IELTS Writing Band Score.

For example:

🌐 Conclusion

Understanding the IELTS Writing Task band descriptors helps you write smarter and meet examiner expectations. Whether you are preparing with a coach or self-studying, aim to improve each criterion individually. For best results, practice regularly and get feedback.

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